[5 Simple Steps to Unshakeable Self-Confidence Series] Article #4 ~ You Have to be in Control of You
Too often, our beliefs, values, and the amount of our self-confidence are determined and controlled by people who were of great importance in our past.
That could be our mom, dad, clergy, teacher, aunt, uncle, grandparent; the list goes on and on.
In fact, most of us are trained from the time we’re very young to listen to and obey our elders, the people, who, supposedly, know best.
Very few of us are taught to listen to our own voice, especially when it conflicts with someone who assumes to be in charge of our well-being.
As a result, most people never step into their own authority.
They never test their mettle. They never see the amazing things they’re actually capable of doing.
Father Doesn’t Know Best
Well, the truth is, despite that 50’s sitcom title, father doesn’t know best.
YOU know best.
And you have the ability to do virtually anything that you can wrap your mind around.
However, in order to do so, you have to be in control of you, and not allow the ancient voices of your past—or those of your present—to control you.
What Does It Mean to Be in Control of Me?
It’s so rare for people be in control of their own lives that sometimes they don’t know what that even means.
Being in control of you means being your own authority.
It means that you’re not going to do something because somebody else likes it or doesn’t like it.
It means that the opportunities you accept, the choices you make, are based on what you want for your life. Period.
How Do You Know When Something Is Right for You or Not?
If you want to know if an opportunity would be good for you, just listen to what your internal voice has to say about it.
It will tell you who you are, what you should be doing, where you should be going, and how you should be doing it.
Now, your inner voice may not express itself as the classic, still, small voice that you can hear. It might be a sensation like chills or a knowing or something else.
If you’re not in the habit of listening to yourself, you might find it a challenge in the beginning to recognize your internal voice.
One thing’s for sure, it is not the nattering or hectoring voice in your head. It speaks simply, often in a short sentence or phrase, and usually arises from the gut.
Fortunately, the more you try to listen to your inner voice, the more you will hear it, and the easier it will be to hear.
Likewise, the more you trust its counsel and heed it, the less time you’ll spend making decisions. Because you’ll quickly check in with yourself and you’ll know.
You’ll know, right away, when something is advantageous for you or not.
And the positive impact of that on your business, life, and self-confidence will be phenomenal!
